Vandals spray-painted satanic symbols on the exterior of a southeast Houston Roman Catholic church and defaced a statue over the weekend, police said.

St. Alphonsus Church parishioners who arrived for services Sunday found the numbers "666" sprayed on the front door of the building at 9217 E. Avenue L. The word Satan and two five-pointed stars were also painted on the building.

The parish hall and a four-foot statue of the Virgin Mary were also targeted. No arrests were made for the vandalism, which police said occurred between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. Sunday.

Many Alphonsus parishioners were deeply disturbed by the vandalism, Sister Lucinda Gonzalez said.

"Some of the ladies who have been here a long time really took it hard," the longtime Alphonsus nun said. "They just thought it was terrible."

Police consider the church vandalism an act of criminal mischief and not a hate crime, said Houston police spokesman Alvin Wright.

"We don't know for sure what the motive was. (Church leaders) said they had no problems with anyone they can recall, and it's the first time it's ever happened to the church," Wright said. "Right now, it's going to be looked at as criminal mischief until we know who might have done this and who might have seen this."

The church has been a fixture in the southeast area for about 40 years, but the statue, with its outstretched arms and face now covered in red paint, was erected only a few months ago.

"It was just placed there in August. I guess it attracted their attention," said Gonzalez. "We're grateful they didn't break the statute."

The church will be repainted, but the Rev. Rivers A. Patout wanted the images to remain so others could see what the vandals had done to the church, Gonzalez said.

"He said, 'I think people need to see that. It's a reflection of the times,' " Gonzalez said.

She said the vandals may also be behind similar graffiti at a school in the area.